Urinary Tract Infection

[kimmers86]

My name is Kim and I've been having recurring uti's for the last two years. I'm only 21 and this is seriously affecting my life. I've had to quit two jobs for it and I've been fired from one for missing working because of this. I usually get them once a month. I've had a cat scan done which came back negative, and I just had a cystoscopy done that was also negative. I'm getting one more test done next month and I'm hoping something will be found. One specialist I went to seems to think I'm just doomed to have these forever and there is no real reason behind it. I can't accept that answer, no way. Especially since taking antibiotics makes me horribly sick and only one type works anymore.
I've been taking d-mannose powder which seems to be keeping the infection at bay, but if I forget to take it every morning I can feel the UTI coming on and have to take some right away. I also ordered UTI Clear from native remedies, but that didn't seem to work at all. I don't drink soda, or any caffeine. I drink a TON of water. I go pee as soon as I feel the urge, wipe front to back, cleanse before and after sex...etc etc etc. I've been married for a year and my husband and I can't even have sex because of all this. I'm seriously at my wits end. I'm sick all the time, I can't get anything done, and I'm miserable. Any ideas? Any tips or tricks on how I can start to feel better while I wait for some answers? Any help is appreciated. Thank you

[pinklady29]

Hi Kim,

I'm 29. I've had recurring UTI's since I was 19. They lasted for several years, and then nothing for a few years. Now I'm getting them again...and sometimes pain when it's not even a UTI. I do all of the same things: lots of water, no caffeine, extra water when drinking alcohol, urinate & wash after sex, etc. I also no longer use shave gel down there. Use one type of soap only..for washing and shaving. Remember that cranberry juice can help or hurt..it's acidic, so can act as an irritant. Establish a relationship with a urologist or primary care physician where you can drop in to give a urine sample first thing in the morning when you are having symptoms. Then take your Uristat or Pyridium to provide relief. Even if it comes back negative in the office always have them send it to a lab to culture. This will ensure whether you have one or not, and let them know what type of bacteria to ensure that you are on the RIGHT type of antibiotic. You mentioned that there is only one type of antibiotic that works anymore. If you don't have a culture, the Dr. cannot accurately prescribe one of the antibiotics on the list from the lab that kills the specific bacteria in your urine. I've been on the incorrect antibiotic for over a month before not realizing that it's not recurrent UTI's, it's the original UTI (but without the proper antibiotic for that specific bacteria it doesn't go away!) I get sick from Levaquin, Metronidazole, etc. Some of the best for me when I have a choice (if they are on the list for your culture) are Sulfa & Macrobid. No extreme dizziness or side effects. Is your next test a urodynamic? Do you always get a test done in the office to ensure that when you're in pain that it is a UTI? I was also diagnosed with interstitial cystitis due to pain even when I don't have a UTI. Hope this helps.

[kimmers86]

thanks for your reply! They always test my urine to see if i have a uti and i always do. I'm not sure which test i'm getting done this month, i need to call the office. When I booked it they just said bladder study. Macrobid is the antibiotic they gave me last time that made me so sick. And bactrim and cipro are the two that i can think of off the top of my head that don't work anymore. When i've had my urine cultured it's been e-coli. This is all such a bummer. At least I'm not alone, huh?

[pinklady29]

Hi Kim,

I hope this gets better for you. Keep me posted on how everything goes with the test. Remember with those antibiotics to eat plenty of food with them even if it doesn't specify that..

[kimme]

Question, when you visit your doctor does your spouse go with you? Has he ever been tested for any type of bacteria that may be passed during sex and has he ever been given medication to take around the time that you get yours? Worth checking on.

[christina257]

Hi Kimmi,

If you still check this site, please let me know about men passing on the UTI bacteria to women through sex. Is that possible? I am still searching for answers, as these infections started with my last boyfriend, and now I seem to be stuck with reoccurring infections.
Please help if you can, you seem to be very informed.
Many thanks,
S

[kimme]

Hi,how are things with you?. Well I live in the Caribbean and I have had my fair share of UTI's and our doctors, urologists etc always do recommend that when there is a flare up that the patient and their spouses both get medicated as it is mentioned that because men only have one passage the bacteria stays within the tract most times without any symptoms to the male. The female tend to take the antibiotics without the male having any. But when they have intercourse the semen comes down the tract along with the bacteria and then the cycle starts all over again. Now mind you not all males carry the bacteria but can get it from an infected female without any symptoms. So doctors here recommend that the male also take a course of antibiotics along with his partner and absolutely no sex during the course of antibiotics. Now you mentioned that this started with your other boyfriend therefore it means that you had never had this before meeting him. This proves that you are very aware of yourself and the things that happen to you. But I highly recommend that your partner goes with you to your next doctor's visit. If you itch try using one teaspoon of vinegar in one cup of water and rinse off the area and see if this helps and stay away from bubble baths and long soaks in the tub. Keep me posted.

[christina257]

Hi Kimme-so nice to hear from you, and you have been very helpful. I think I understand what's happening to me, and why I continue to get reoccurring UTI's. I just returned form a year working in Bermuda, so you are in the hot climate, as I was. At first I thought it was related to my allergies, being stressed etc, but it wasn't.
I will let you know if the macrobid kills the bacteria-I doubt it, as I've been down this road before.....I was so sick in Bermuda, from dose after dose of antibiotics, that I developed candida on my chest! I thought I had spider bites, that had become infected! (I have never even had a spider bite that I know of!) I had to miss a lot of work, it was a mess.
Please let me know how you are doing......do we ever get free of this bacteria forever?
Thanks so much for your reply,
S

[TRuth]

[quote="kimme"]If you itch try using one teaspoon of vinegar in one cup of water and rinse off the area and see if this helps and stay away from bubble baths and long soaks in the tub. Keep me posted.[/quote]

Kimme, your last remark comes as a surprise to me because I thought hot baths are calming when you are having a uti. At least I felt relieved when I took a hot bath after a night of uti killing me.

[kimme]

Hi everyone, how are things with you all?. I really want to share a bit of information with you all. First of all bacteria needs a warm and moist area to grow in. So it is imperative that we as women take care of how we treat our bodies. Firstly, after a shower we should dry the vaginal area very carefully and not leave any moisture. We should also wear cotton undies or any underwear that is breathable so as not to promote any bacterial growth with our own body heat. After going to the washroom to wee try and wash the area with soap and water and dry or use a towelette. Even check yourself to see if the sanitary napkins that you use are agreeable with you because sometimes they are not (food for thought). I have great concerns about soaking in tubs as I believe that our feet are touching the ground that has a lot of bacteria and it is in the same water as my other body parts. I dont know what goes on in my shoes and what is on the ground. Also when putting on underwear wear socks this helps in not getting your toes or feet tangled in the panty crotch. Also taking too much antibiotics is not a helathy thing for your body as this makes the bacteria resistant and weakens your immune systems. It is recommended to try herbal remedies as alternatives at times because they were what was used in the days of old. So be careful of taking too much antibiotics. Do you all know that garlic capsules taken six and the juice of fresh bilberry up to five teaspoonful a day at times a day helps. Keep me posted people.